Programme Outline: Music Production and Sound Engineering Course

Normal Track
Course Duration: 1 Year
Schedule: 2 Hours/3 days a week

Fast Track
Course Duration: 6 months
Schedule: 4 Hours/ 3 days a week

(Weekend options also available)

Introduction to Desktop Production Tools

• Music Production Process
• Creating Musical Ideas
• Listening and Analysis
• Recording
• Editing
• Mixing
• Mastering
• Music Production Tools
• Synthesizers
• MIDI Sequencers
• Audio Recorders
• Processors
• Mixer

Signal Flow

• Analog Audio Signals and Connections
• Digital Audio Signals and Connections
• Signal Flow Between Devices
• Setting Up a Virtual Studio
• MIDI Signal Flow
• Studio Configuration
• Exam- On Signal Flow

Sound Theory and Acoustic Considerations 

• Your Sound System
• Sound Theory
• Waves
• Amplitude
• Phase
• Frequency and Wavelength
• Velocity
• Harmonic Content
• Acoustics
• Hearing
• Analysing the Acoustic Space
• Exam- Assignment on Sound Accoustic

Studio Microphone 

• Microphone: Style, Types, Sounds and Application
• Microphone Placement
• Assignment- On Different Types of Mic

RECORDING 

• Eq and Compression (Dynamics Processing) Vol 2.
• Parallel Compression.
• Sidechain Compression.
• How to apply compression on various types of sounds / instruments / drums.
• Mix Bus Compression.
• Mastering EQ (Clinical).
• De-essing & Multiband Compression.

Studio Software     

• Digital Audio
• Plug ins and uses
• Inserts and Sends
• Timing Correction
• Tuning Possibilities
• Recording
• Project: Submit assignment on Different Types of DAWs

Music Theory 

• Introduction and Chords I ; Major Scale Triads, Chord Tones and Intervals
• Chords II ; Harmonizing in Thirds, Seventh Chord and Extensions
• Harmonizing ; Minor Scale, Harmonic Minor Scale, Melodic Minor Scale, Modes, Transposing, Inversions, Bass and Melody
• Project: Submit Project on Chord Chart and Circle of Fifth
• Exam: Production Tools, Signal Flow, Sound Acoustic and Music Theory

Introduction to Electronic Music Synthesizers  

• What’s a Synthesizer?
• Properties of Sound
• Pitch, Timbre, Loudness
• Virtual Instruments
• Digital Samplers
• Project: Submit Assignment on Different Synths

Introduction to MIDI Sequencing: Patterns and Recording          

• MIDI Messages
• Patterns in Music
• Creating Patterns
• Building an Arrangement from Patterns
• Playing Against a Drum Track
• Project: Reason Sequencing Project

Editing MIDI Sequences

• Editing MIDI Sequences
• Exploring Tempo, Key, Song Length, Velocity, Dynamics, Gate Time, Delay, Event-Level Editing
• Fixing Mistakes
• Correcting Timing
• Correcting Durations
• Correcting Dynamics
• Editing Pitch
• Cut/Copy/Paste Operations
• Editing in the Arrange Window—The Logic Tools
• MIDI Mixing and Automation
• Project: Prepare 4 types of MIDI projects in DAW
• Exam: Practical exam on MIDI sequences, EMS and Recording & Sequencing

Acoustics & Project Development and Review

• Using Ozone:
• Pre Eq
• Compression (Single/ Mixbus / Multiband)
• Spatialization of Entire MIX
• Post EQ.
• Saturation (TUBE / TAPE / EXCITER)
• Limiting and Level Maximization
• Interpreting Meters / Phase & Level.
• Normalization.
• Dithering and Noise Shaping.

Music Genres

• Introduction to Genres
• EDM
• Rock/Pop
• Hip-Hop/Trap
• Bollywood/Punjabi/ Bhojpuri/ Nepali
• Project: Min. 2 Projects in 2 different Genres

Music Production Ideas

• Music Genre
• Targeting Textures and Treatment for the Artist Sound
• Focusing Song and Artist Vision
• Understanding the Artist’s Audience
• Listening and Analysing Comparable Artist
• Project: Create an original composition

Song Treatment

• Every Song is it’s Own Entity
• Explaining and Developing Verse and Chorus Element’s
• The Beauty of Repetitive Themes
• Developing Melody
• Setting up the Chorus
• The Breakdown
• The Climactic ending
• Project: Create an original melody

Instrumental Treatment 

• Focusing Feel of the Song
• Percussion – Developing Drum feel for the song
• Keeping it simple
• Developing Hook lines Instrumentally
• Project: Create a groove

Vocal Performance

• Figuring out the best way to work with your artist
• Make sure you understand the Lyrics and meaning of the song and your input into
• Vocal Production techniques ; doubling, layering, time based effects, compression, tuning
• Project: Recording your vocals

Song Structure & Sample Layering

• Arrangement Structure
• Instrumentation and Important Instruments in a Genre
• Sample Selection based on your Genre
• Layering Samples based on your Genre
• Layering Samples and Synth sounds
• FX placement
• Automation Filters, Pitch, Time etc
• Building your own FX
• Music secrets to help you make melodies easily
• Project: Arranging the whole track

Putting it All Together  

• Fundamentals of Building Great Sounds for the Core Instruments
• Establishing the Foundation
• Using Dynamics and Effects Appropriately
• Establishing a Baseline Volume and Keeping It There
• Project: Completing the whole track

Remix A Song

• Find the BPM & key of the original song
• Give it your own sound
• Create a tentative game plan
• Get Creative & Experiment
• Project: Creating 2 Remixes of your own

Introduction to Film Score   

• Diegetic Sound
• Non- Diegetic Sound

Film Soundtrack

• Human Voices
• Music
• Orchestral arrangement
• Foley
• Sound Effects SFX
• Project: Creating a Original Film Score

Game Audio Soundtrack

• Sound Effects SFX
• Foley
• Background Music
• Project: Creating a sound track of a Game

Mixing

Effects Processing (Part 1)

• Intro: The Environment
• Insert Effects
• Aux Send and Return Effects Reverb Send and Return
• Overview of Effects Types
• Spectrum Processing: Filters
• Equalizer
• Different types of EQ
• Mix Practice–Adding EQ and Reverb
• Project: Mixing 2 Tracks

Effects Processing (Part 2) 

• Dynamics Processing
• All About Compression
• Compressing the Bass Track
• Gating
• Time-Based Effects
• The Delay Family
• Doubling/Flanging/Chorus
• Reverb
• Project: Completing the Mixed Track

Art Of Mixing 

• Separation in the Mix
• Mixing Vocals
• Group Mixing (Mix Process)
• Creativity with Audio
• DIY Mastering
• Limiter, Dithering
• Project: Bringing quality difference in Mixed track

Mastering

• What Is Mastering?
• Digital Theory
• EQ
• Compression
• Practical Dynamics
• Mastering Different Styles
• Advanced Techniques: Mid/Side
• Multi Band Compression
• Working on Albums, Compilations
• Editing: Fades, Cross-Fades, Gaps
• Level & Tonal Coherence
• Project:Mastering earlier mixed tracks

Final Project Critique and Course Wrap-Up  

• Course Wrap-Up
• Where Do You Go From Here?
• How to Grow Your Basic Setup
• Suggested Additional Reading

Add On

• Free Samples & Loops worth 20GB
• Free Plugins
• Free Software’s
• Free Templates
• Free PDF books

Certification Exam:  from Rock School of London

Final Submission, Jury Presentation, Certification, Internship and Placement Assistance